$30 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Texas County Dismissed

April 30, 2015

A federal judge has dismissed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit that was filed against Nacodoches County in Texas.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider approved the motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of Edwinta Deckard, who died from dehydration while serving time at the county jail. It named County Judge Joe English, Sheriff Bridges, Lt. Elizabeth, Ann Owens and Sgt. Danny Ray Russell as the defendants.

“On the date of her detention, Edwinta Deckard, deceased, complained of dehydration, including acute diarrhea,” the lawsuit states. “From that time on, the defendants were responsible for a course of conduct which was willful, wanton and criminally negligent and so blatantly inappropriate as to evidence intentional maltreatment, and was directly responsible for the death of Edwinta Deckard.”

Deckard become severely ill while in custody, making numerous requests for help from the prison guards, and was in dire need of medical attention.

According to the complaint, the pleas from Deckard and other inmates for medical care were ignored.